Duke basketball: 20 serious concerns about 2020-21 Blue Devils
By Matt Giles
Question No. 12 for the 2020-21 Duke basketball team…
Are there worrisome weaknesses to DJ Steward’s game that high school ball failed to expose?
As opined here at Ball Durham on several occasions, DJ Steward has the fewest question marks of any current Duke basketball freshman. His shots almost always look like they are going in. His eyes almost always spot the right gap or open teammate. His competitive motor almost always hums. His face almost always includes a smile.
Therefore, pinpointing concerns in the five-star combo guard’s game requires quite a bit of nitpicking. That said, if the concerns turn into exposable flaws on the college level, then Duke might not boast quite the level of secondary ballhandlers as most folks are projecting.
What potential flaws?
Well, again, this is nitpicking, but Steward’s dribble looks a tad high, evident in the latest scrimmage highlights when Wendell Moore nearly picks the new kid’s shirt pocket at the top of the key. Meanwhile, the release point on his 3-point stroke looks a tad low; pairing that with his mere 6-foot-2 stature, the potential starter could be a prime target for perimeter shot-blockers.